Wireless Power Transmission Foreign Substance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless power transmission systems face inefficiencies due to prolonged power-transmission stopping times and overheating issues caused by foreign substances, as they lack effective methods for accurate foreign substance detection and efficient power resumption protocols.

Innovation Solution

A power transmission device that includes a memory for storing voltage values, a receiving circuit, an inverter, an oscillator, and a foreign substance detector, which temporarily stops power transmission for detection and resumes it using stored frequency values to minimize stopping time and prevent overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If power transmission is temporarily stopped for foreign substance detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but power transmission efficiency deteriorates due to prolonged stopping time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance detection accuracyVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs foreign substance detection before initiating full power transmission. By detecting the presence of foreign substances in advance using a detection coil and comparison circuit, the system prevents unnecessary power transmission stops, thereby maintaining power transmission efficiency while ensuring detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors for foreign substances during power transmission through periodic detection cycles. The control unit manages switching between detection and transmission modes to minimize interruption time, allowing power transmission to resume quickly after detection, thus maintaining continuous useful action and high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If power transmission is stopped for foreign substance detection, then foreign substance overheating is prevented, but power transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance overheatingVSAvoidpower transmission stopping time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs foreign substance detection before initiating full power transmission. By detecting the presence of foreign substances in advance using a detection coil and comparison circuit, the system prevents unnecessary power transmission stops, thereby maintaining power transmission efficiency while ensuring detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a feedback mechanism where the detection coil continuously monitors for foreign substances, and the control unit adjusts power transmission based on detection results. When foreign substances are detected, power transmission is stopped; when not detected, transmission continues or resumes, creating a closed-loop control that minimizes stopping time while preventing overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If detection sensitivity is increased to detect all foreign substances, then detection accuracy is improved, but false detection increases affecting power transmission stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign substance detection accuracyVSAvoidpower transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses different coils with different characteristics for detection and power transmission. The detection coil is optimized for sensitivity to foreign substances, while the power transmission coil is optimized for efficient power transfer. This separation allows the detection system to be highly sensitive without causing false detections that would destabilize the overall power transmission system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a feedback mechanism where the detection coil continuously monitors for foreign substances, and the control unit adjusts power transmission based on detection results. When foreign substances are detected, power transmission is stopped; when not detected, transmission continues or resumes, creating a closed-loop control that minimizes stopping time while preventing overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces power-transmission stopping time, enhances detection accuracy, and maintains high efficiency by using stored frequency values for resuming power transmission, thus preventing foreign substance overheating and improving overall system performance.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic-field resonance scheme (a resonance magnetic-field coupling scheme)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic-field resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic induction scheme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a resonance magnetic-field coupling scheme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2950417B1Wireless power transmission system and power transmission device
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2950417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2950417B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2950417B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a first power transmission period, a power transmission device holds, in a memory, a value indicating a frequency f0 corresponding to an actual voltage value that matches a requested voltage value, then causes first AC power to be transmitted by using the frequency f0, and uses a foreign substance detector to determine whether or not a foreign substance is present. When it is determined that no foreign substance is present, in a second power transmission period, the power transmission device causes the power transmission of the first AC power to be resumed by using the value indicating the frequency f0, the value being held in the memory.